PLANS have been submitted seeking to convert a former pharmacy into residential units, along with two first floor apartments.

Proposals to convert the building at 173 to 175 Duke Street, St Helens have been approved by St Helens Council.

Plans say the building has been unused since October.

The application for two residential units, with two apartments on the above floor, received one letter of objection.

This stated: "We wish to object to the number of bedsit/studios proposed within the above planning application on the basis that there is inadequate facility in the vicinity of this area to support the potential parking demands that the conversion of the property to include four bedsits will cause.

"This would be detrimental to local business who require the availability of parking for customers and trade access".

A planning officer's report said that although no parking provision was included in plans, it is "not considered that the proposal would result in a detrimental impact on highway safety or parking provision within the wider area".

The proposals were granted permission by planning officers.